In The Company Of Black Men by Craig Steven Wilder

Author:Craig Steven Wilder [Wilder, Craig Steven]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, United States, General, Social Science, Ethnic Studies, American, African American & Black Studies
ISBN: 9780814793695
Google: fiQUCgAAQBAJ
Publisher: NYU Press
Published: 2005-02-15T22:16:44+00:00

A strident dialogue followed. To great laughter, William Tyson, in the chair, said he “hoped the colored men would have more respect for themselves than to copy after the rowdy meetings of white men.” The early evening was spent establishing that the Civilization Society could not claim the support of black New Yorkers. Downing proposed a series of sharp resolutions against the new organization that climaxed with a statement that “we believe the African Civilization Society to be no other than an auxiliary of the negro-hating American Colonization Society,” which was broadly applauded. “I was in search a few days ago for matter[s] with which to battle (you know that I am fond of fighting the ‘African Civilization Society[)],’” Downing joked to his boyhood friend Alexander Crummell. He seriously feared that the emigrationist society might pull attention from immediate political struggles. “I was in John Zuille[’]s printing office yesterday talking about exertions in behalf of the elective franchise; it is to be submitted to the people this fall. It might be obtained—yes it would be, with proper exertions,” he concluded. Prince Hall officer Ransom Wake chose harsher words to move the meeting to action. He called his audience slaves and, while pointing at Garnet, told them to “obey your master.” “Canes and fists became very unsteady by this time,” wrote a reporter. The meeting was eventually called to an end with all of its business being tabled.43

Dr. Smith delivered a final knock on colonization by slapping his childhood rival in the press. In an open letter targeting Garnet’s African Civilization Society, Smith charged that “your schemes of emigration have neither the charm of novelty nor the prestige of success.” He accused the Civilization Society of doing the American Colonization Society’s bidding. Smith, no mild flatterer of Haiti when it fit his purposes, issued an unwarranted attack on the nation to further discredit the “African Civilization scheme.” “Your duty to our people is to tell them to aim higher. In advising them to go to Hayti, you direct them to sink lower,” barked Smith. Language barriers and the vast cultural divide awaiting Protestants in a Catholic nation would alone foil the attempt; yet, Garnet, from the safe distance of the United States, encouraged the endeavor. “Shake yourself free from these migrating phantasms, and join us with your might and main,” the doctor snapped.

As the beloved pastor of a large and intelligent people in the centre of a metropolis which appreciates your talents and acknowledges your genius, you have ample room and verge enough for the marked abilities with which it has pleased God to endow you, without wasting your vigor in the vain attempt to people an island within the tropics.44

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